Blushing Brides

Blushing Brides

This was a major year for the bridal industry. Monaco's newly minted princess, Charlene Wittstock, wore Armani, and Hollywood royalty Sofia Coppola shook things up in a short lilac Azzedine Alaïa dress. But the year's most-watched nuptials belonged to two Kates: the future queen of England and the reigning queen of the fashion industry. Despite intense media speculation, both brides kept their dresses top secret, and both solicited sighs from romantics around the world when they made their debuts. Middleton's dramatic Alexander McQueen dress had just the right amount of royal pomp, and Moss's John Galliano gown was elegant and nostalgic. (And I think it should be noted that it wasn't only the brides who looked stunning. Jamie Hince's robin's-egg blue Yves Saint Laurent suit was a more-than-worthy complement. As for Prince Wills, who doesn't love a man in uniform?)